2 December 2014, Singapore: E-navigation specialist NAVTOR has set course for Asia, with the news that the Egersund, Norway-based business has opened an office in Singapore. The move comes in response to growing regional demand for simple, efficient and cost effective ENC distribution solutions, as the IMO’s ECDIS Mandate continues its gradual roll out.​

In Europe, NAVTOR is already a recognised leader in ENC distribution and an e-navigation pioneer, holding a preferred supplier position with companies such as Hurtigruten, Teekay, DOF and RCL Cruises. Its ENC service, which is used by owners controlling more than 70% of the entire Norwegian offshore fleet, launched in 2012, paving the way for a portfolio of products that includes NavTracker fleet management and the recently launched NavStation, the world’s first digital chart table.

“Our philosophy of developing high-tech solutions to simplify tasks for navigators has underpinned our success in Europe, and its appeal will be equally compelling in Asia,” comments Tor Svanes, NAVTOR CEO. “The Asian market is diverse, sophisticated and receptive to innovation, and Singapore is the perfect base for NAVTOR to take advantage of the opportunities in this unique environment.”

​NAVTOR’s new office is situated in Singapore’s dynamic central business district and will be led by Jennifer Lee, formerly the UKHO’s Account Manager for ADMIRALTY Nautical Products and Services, Asia Pacific. Lee’s first task will be to build NAVTOR brand awareness and demonstrate the benefits of proven e-navigation solutions in some of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.

“Our products and expertise can help transform the duties of navigators and bring greater efficiency to the daily operations of shipping companies,” Svanes states. “We are involved in the SESAME project (Secure, Efficient and Safe Maritime Traffic Management in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore), so we know the regional shipping market and the unique challenges the industry faces here.

“We can help shipowners tackle those challenges and drive efficiencies through the safe, simple and secure distribution of digital navigational data. Through enhanced ship-shore interaction, state-of-the-art route planning and fleet management, and a better use of valuable man-hours on board, they can save time and money, while maximising business performance and minimising fuel use.

“We have the solutions to enable this, and now we have the location to offer NAVTOR’s unique proposition to the regional marketplace.”

NAVTOR combined the Singapore office opening with its participation at a seminar for the local maritime industry at the Norwegian Embassy. Entitled ‘Leading Performance’, the event gave NAVTOR the chance to explain the benefits of e-navigation and its own user-friendly innovations for distributing and updating Admiralty AVCS and digital products.

Norwegian Ambassador to Singapore, His Excellency Tormod C. Endresen, hailed NAVTOR’s arrival, stating: “Singapore is a key international shipping hub and there’s a strong cluster of Norwegian businesses supplying world class services and solutions to customers. NAVTOR’s arrival boosts that proposition and, with e-navigation offering such clear benefits to the industry, it will be exciting to watch their development here. I wish them all the best.”